Amateur Photographer - UK (2019-11-30)

38 30 November 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113

Testbench BEST CAMERAS OF 2019

Nikon Z 6

● £1,499 (body only) ● http://www.nikon.co.uk

Panasonic Lumix S1

● £2,199 (body only) ● http://www.panasonic.com/uk

IDENTICAL in terms of
ergonomics and design to its
high-resolution cousin the Z 7,
the Z 6 is Nikon’s fi rst attempt at
an affordable, general-purpose
full-frame mirrorless model.
Behind its large-diameter
Z-mount there’s a 24.5MP
back-illuminated full-frame
sensor that provides a sensitivity
range of ISO 50-204,800. The
hybrid autofocus system
combines contrast and phase
detection across 90% of the
sensor, and there’s silent shooting
as well as 4K recording at up to
30fps using the full width of the
sensor. Pair the Z 6 with an
F-mount lens with VR via the FTZ
adapter and you’ll discover the
in-body and in-lens image-
stablisation systems work
together very effectively. We got
sharp handheld images right
down to 1/5sec at 70mm.
Nikon DSLR users
will be bowled over
by the viewing

experienceof thelargeelectronic

viewfi nder and how well the

touchscreen integrates with the

menu. With its well-sculpted

handgrip offering one of the best

handling experiences of any

full-frame mirrorless camera, the

Z 6 is also extremely comfortable

to use over long spells of

shooting. Things we’re not so fond

of are its single XQD card slot and

the 310-shot battery life. The

good news is that an MB-N10

battery grip (£179) is on its way.

The Z 6 is an astonishingly

impressive camera and

represents even better value for

money now than when it was

launched, having dropped

to £1,499 (body only) or

£1,549 with the FTZ

adapter included.

PANASONIC’S take on full-frame

mirrorless is a large, beefy

camera based around the Leica L

mount. The 24MP Lumix S1 is,

like its high-resolution 47.3MP

sibling the S1R, similar in size

and weight to a full-frame DSLR,

with a tough, weather-sealed

body that’s festooned with a vast

array of external controls. The

result is arguably the most

‘professional’ design of any of the

current generation of mirrorless

cameras, exemplifi ed by its large,

comfortable handgrip and

illuminated rear buttons.

Notable features include an

autofocus system that can be set

to identify and track humans or

animals. The fi ve-axis in-body

stabilisation system is impressively

effective, and works in concert

with optically stabilised lenses for

even greater effect. The S1 also

benefi ts the most practical

high-resolution multi-shot

mode we’ve yet seen,

which delivers artefact-

free 96MP images.

If there’s one aspect

where the S1 trounces

its rivals, it’s in composing

and viewing images. The

sensational 5.76m-dot

OLED viewfi nder is the

best we’ve seen, with an

impressively large and

detailed view including

comprehensiveshooting

information. It’s perfectly

complemented by the tilting rear

touchscreen, which can be used

for waist-level shooting in both

portrait and landscape formats.

Image quality is every bit as

good as its 24MP full-frame

peers, particularly in raw. Thanks

to the alliance formed between

Leica, Panasonic and Sigma,

users also gain access to a strong

range of extremely high-quality

lenses. If you can live with the

size, weight and cost, the S1 is an

extremely accomplished camera.

What we like

● Weather-sealed to Nikon D850

standards

● Brilliantly executed design

● Compatibility with F-mount lenses

via FTZ adapter

What we like

● Superb viewfinder and screen

● Well-designed control layout

● Comprehensive feature set

GOLD Recommended

The Z 6 is a quite brilliant

full-frame all-rounder

The S1 is extremely

accomplished and

handles brilliantly